Iran, Azerbaijan Hold Joint Naval Drill in Caspian Sea

Naval forces from Iran and the Republic of Azerbaijan held a joint maritime rescue and relief exercise near Boyuk Zira Island off the coast of Baku in the Caspian Sea, The Caspian Post informs via Tansim.

The four-day exercise, titled AZIREX 2025, included forces from the Iranian Navy and the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Navy, along with Azerbaijani naval units.

The Iranian flotilla included Paykan and Separ missile-launching vessels as well as Shahid Basir warship of the IRGC Navy.

The joint exercise was aimed at enhancing maritime security, promoting stable naval cooperation in the Caspian Sea, and strengthening operational coordination between the Iranian and Azeri armed forces. It also sought to improve joint planning and execution of combined maritime search, rescue and relief operations.

The drill also pursued objectives such as ensuring safety for commercial ships and oil tankers in the Caspian Sea, developing mutually agreed frameworks for future joint drills, and reinforcing military collaboration to support friendly relations between the two neighboring countries.